MNF • NHL • Olympics

Team USA Hockey: It’s No Miracle

Yesterday the NHL Team USA Hockey announced its roster of “amateurs” that will be competing for fame and fortune pride and country in the Winter Olympics this spring. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause but there will be no more Miracles on Ice. Ever since the IOC decided to allow pro players to take part in the competition, Olympic hockey has just become another NHL All-Star Game. Gone are the days when some scrubs and unknowns could have a chance to compete with the best in the world. Such is life.

On a related note, I fondly remember that February back in 1980 when Herb Brooks took his squad to Lake Placid to face the top teams from around the world. Sitting inches from the TV screen, hoping and praying, and seeing our boys beat those commie bastards in the medal round was one of the best sports moments of my life. So I hesitate to taint the memory with this observation: without USA beating the USSR, we would have no Al Michaels. He was just one of the rank and file sports reporters at ABC in 1980, but calling that match launched his career, ultimately landing him on Monday Night Football in 1986 where he has been annoying the hell out of us ever since. His last MNF telecast is coming up this week, so from all of us at Snark Central, “So long, Al. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.”

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